City Comparison

Concord vs Dover

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

North Carolina
96
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$86,900
Median Income

Dover

Delaware
99
Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$58,300
Median Income

The Verdict

3.0%

Concord is 3.0% less expensive than Dover overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $77,344 in Dover to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
89
Concord
88
Dover
Groceries
97
Concord
100
Dover
Utilities
97
Concord
96
Dover
Transportation
92
Concord
104
Dover
Healthcare
104
Concord
100
Dover

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $77,344 in Dover.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dover equals $72,727 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Dover

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Dover's 88, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $280,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,275/mo in Dover, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 100 in Dover. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $475/month in Dover. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Concord and 96 in Dover. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $384 in Dover. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 100 in Dover. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $86,900 in Concord and $58,300 in Dover. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $58,889 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,028/month to housing in Concord vs $1,360/month in Dover. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Dover, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 3.0% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 99.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,344 in Dover, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Dover's is 88 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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